Kawempe North By-Election: An update on the upcoming polls

The Electoral Commission has scheduled the road map ahead of the Kawempe North By-Election, which is now happening later this year. That was bound to happen after the demise and the fall of the late Mohammed Ssegirinya aka Mr. Update.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) is following suit and have asked for the ones who wants to be the flagbearer and become the next MP to step up. They have the time to express interests in it until the 4th February and the party will unveil their candidate on the 5th February. Surely within the guidelines of the Electoral Commission and in time to register the candidate as a contestant in the By-Election itself. Therefore, the NUP continues like no tomorrow.

The EC has settle the dates for delivering of the candidacy at the Office of the returning officer in the time span of the 26th and 27th February. This shows that the NUP is planning to be in advance and ensure their candidate is ready for campaigning early. As well, as waiting for the campaign period of 28th February to the 11th March 2025. Meanwhile, the polls are on the 13th March and we are seeing the MP will be elected on this day and either announced later that night or the day after. Depending on how the EC is planning to pull this one of.

The NUP is now working within the system and preparing to participate in this. The NUP want to replace Mr. Update and have the seat in the end of the 11th Parliament. Though that is a short stint before having to participate yet again in the 2026 General Election. By the time the MP is sworn in…

The MP would only have 6 months or possibly max 8 months or so. As the 11th Parliament has to accept the election and swear the MP in. That is up to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to make it happen as Parliament Business. We just have to await… and see how that one plays out.

That the NUP is doing this isn’t surprising. There is already several candidates and people who wants to takeover the seat. These are running social media campaigns and published posters with slogans. They are ready to step up and take over as the flagbearer. It just shows how quickly someone takes over from the late. Instead of grieving or even honour the late. These cannot wait for their turn and be the next legislator who is getting in office.

Mr. Update deserves better than this. The system and the authorities doesn’t care, but the NUP should have honoured this man. They held the burial, but now they are contesting his seat like an ordinary day. The party just unleashing the ability to nominate themselves and telling when they will announce the candidate. Regardless of who this is… they will never be Mr. Update or live up to his potential. Mr. Update is one in a million and no one will be able to takeover from him. That heart and the voice of reason doesn’t come natural to plenty of others.

That’s why I wanted the NUP to boycott this one and instead held a longer period of mourning of Mr. Update. In this way have better time and be able to find the righteous candidate to step into the shadow of Mr. Update. Instead it will now be a petty fight within the party and also be a rushed campaign. The late MP deserves a better man and possibly someone who could revisit his love for the constituency.

The NUP cannot and aren’t able to find that suitable man within a hot minute. We shouldn’t expect magic, but surely … this is just rushed, and the constituency deserves better. They had a great leader and MP. They should have more time and now will be traded off in a hasteful campaign. That is where we are going… Peace.

Opinion: Kagabo MP finally came home

“That is their opinion, you know any opinion that ignores the facts is inclined to a fool or an idiot. This invite had an agenda, it isn’t perfunctory that you saw me in State House. I went to State House to meet the President, not NRM. Those are two different things. I pray to God that he gives you the wits to know the difference between meeting the President and party issues, they are very distinct. Just pray to God that He gives you that wisdom to demystify the two” – Twaha Kagabo (Bukoto South MP, National Unity Platform (NUP)) – (06.02.2024).

The journey is over. The former National Unity Platform (NUP) Member of Parliament of the Bukoto South MP is now vying to become the National Resistance Movement (NRM) MP for Bukoto South. He has within the term gone from the NUP to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to join the NRM.

This is a man that claimed to be an opposition and fight the dictator. To change his stripes when getting into office. Not like a fantastic or brilliant legislator. No, his not known for making motions or petitions the August House. This man has been busy finding new means to eat and find ways to get a meal-ticket. That’s who Kagabo MP is.

In February 2024 I said he should just turn yellow. That was how he engaged and talked anyway. There was nothing about him that was aligned with the NUP or the opposition. He could just be another crony and bootlicker of the state. That’s who he has become, and he found his path. Instead of having a moral code or even considering the implications. He rather sellout and become one of them.

That he went from the NUP and Bobi Wine to celebrate the dictator’s son. Just shows what sort of character he is and now he joins the NRM because the PLU won’t have separate tickets in the upcoming election. Therefore, he has to go to NRM and not stand on the PLU.

This is after the PLU said they were aligned with the NRM and no one should be shocked by that. The PLU is the NRM and the NRM is the PLU. It is just different fronts for the same message. They are working for the same regime and dynamic. Nothing is significantly different.

Just one man who turned on his cause and sold his soul. That’s who Kagabo MP is and everyone should know. He went from fighting the dictatorship to partaking in it. Just imagine that. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni is campaigning already [with the PDM assessment tour]

Now that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is touring the nation in the name of the Parish Development Model or the PDM. His doing the old bidding and using it as front for what his actually doing. This is campaigning and holding rallies outside the Electoral Road Map. That is using his authority and ability as the Head of State to vie the public with the carrot of micro-financing schemes.

This isn’t new of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or the General himself. No, Museveni has done this for years and before the General Elections. It has been done in the name of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and Emyooga. Now it is PDM…

The State House will need Supplementary Budgets for it. It doesn’t matter if the PDM isn’t operational, functional or even having all mechanisms working to be the “silver bullet” to end poverty. It is just the newest scheme out of plenty. This President has promised the “golden goose” since the 1980s and made up schemes since at least the mid 1990s. So, we shouldn’t be surprised that he does it again and again.

When he goes to the up-country, up north, up east and central region in the name of the PDM. It is cookie cut campaigning to ensure longevity of his rule. That is done to be visible and let the villagers believe in his dream. This is to sell the promises and act like he has achieved something recently. Even if his selling the same story and re-inventing the wheel. That’s what his doing and still wasn’t prepared when launching the PDM. That’s why the PDM haven’t worked properly and is misused. It is paying ghosts and other non-entities in the name of ending poverty.

Alas, the President is coming with empty promises and pledging to heal the nation. Even if he doesn’t fix the institutions, neither have the funding for government services or even ensure the infrastructure is up to levels. That is just what he does and he will vilify the predecessors that has been dead for decades while his doing it.

This is just what Museveni does. He goes on these rallies and tours as early campaigning. Just to ensure the local NRM are ready and is on his side. His there to galvanize and hopeful corrupt the young minds with smoking mirrors. That’s all he has and those words are supposed to salvage his office. If not… he has to intimidate them to submission. Therefore, don’t expect mercy from His Excellency. That is a train that has left the station.

The ones thinking 2026 will be different than any other election. You got to be naive or an ignorant fool. As long as Museveni is on the ticket. The stars are aligned and we know the game already. Peace.

Opinion: Muhoozi’s threats are becoming a common occurrence

“Dr.Kizza Besigye used to call me a clown and a coward. The tree of traitors is waiting for hím in Gulu. We will hang KB on Heroes’s Day. That’s the best day for him to die.  After that we we will arrest ANYBDY who ever spoke ill of Afande Saleh ingovernement!” – Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga (16.01.2025).

Not long ago, not so far far away from today. The General and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Muhoozi Kainerubaga wanted to chop off the head of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Today he pledges to get anyone in the National Unity Platform (NUP) arrested if they wear anything resembling army fatigue. Alas, that is the main game even.

His taken a step to send a message to incarcerated Dr. Kizza Besigye. That the son of the President and Army Commander is willing to hang him. Just like his was willing to chop the head of Bobi Wine. His just targeting opposition leaders and coming with lethal suggestions their way. This isn’t silly arguments or misjudgement. No, this is his character and who he is.

When we call him a brute and a violent man. It is for a reason. The General doesn’t have the character or the personality that speaks of peace. He rather strikes at the powerless and the weak with force. This man rather use weaponry and assault someone. Then trying to talk and navigate a situation. That’s who Muhoozi is and it is so obvious.

We shouldn’t take these things lightly. He is doing it again. Today it is Besigye and yesterday it was Bobi Wine. Muhoozi is just showing his entitlement and how he can just in all bravado decide life or death. That he is the voice of the government and can even invade Nairobi in three days. It is just who Muhoozi is and has become. The indiscipline brute who happens to in relation to the President.

The General wouldn’t be where he is at if it wasn’t for the President. That’s the only reason why he has power and is influential. This man would be wheeler dealer somewhere selling benign things if it wasn’t for just that.

However, we have to take this seriously and this shows his state of mind. This is what his thinking about and what his willing to do. It is no joking matter… and the General just shows his “heart” or lack thereof. Peace.

 

Opinion: The FDC is missing Katonga as we speak

“We have been approached by a number of our former members expressing a desire to return to the party and actively participate in the party activities including mobilization towards the forthcoming elections. The FDC Constitution in article 12 gives opportunity to any returning member to do so within the requirements of the Constitution. I am therefore on behalf of top management inviting all our former members to feel free and return home to their party. To facilitate this exercise, NEC will set up a reception desk at every district for purposes of coordinating return of our former members” – Patrick Oboi Amuriat (15.01.2025).

Today its official that the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) feels the aftermath of making Dr. Kizza Besigye a “Person Non-Grata” and disassociate itself with the Katonga Headquarters. Therefore, the costs of leaving Katonga is hurting Najjanakumbi hard now. They are finally seeing the light, but now its too late.

The ones surrounding Besigye and are his allies are re-configurating itself as the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). They aren’t returning to the FDC or being part of the predecessor now. The ones that leave only does so for a meal-ticket and not out of political dogma.

Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Nathan Nandala Mafabi cannot carry this. They have destroyed the party and done so out of spite. These two has made the decisions and now they don’t have the support of the die hard supporters of Besigye. These leaders should have seen this one coming. As they disconnected themselves from the most vital and important voice of the FDC history.

The FDC can ask former Members to return. Nevertheless, the ones who went to Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and now the PFF are now gone. These have given up on the leaders of Najjanakumbi. That is all within reason and anyone can understand that.

The disservice the Najjanakumbi have done to itself and it cannot revive the past. Neither can it ask for people just to return and forgive. They made it here and now they have to live with it. The leaders are to blame and they know they lost relevance. They know the party is severely damaged, but they did it all out of self-interests. Therefore, they are in for a shocker later on.

Especially, the day the PFF is up and running. The day PFF and Besigye is campaigning. That’s when the true realities will sting and the FDC will feel the pinch. As they have lost allies of Besigye and before from Muntu. All of these are wounds that are open and there been no resolve.

That’s why the plea will fall on deaf ears. Who wants to listen to self serving leaders who only cares for themselves? These leaders aren’t fighting for the cause or for the betterment. No, this is just their launching pad and their offices to ensure their livelihoods. That’s it and nothing else bothers them.

The FDC must wait for another handout, so it can be used as a tool against the NUP and possibly Besigye. Peace.

Besigye behind bars for 59 days [on the 14th of January 2025] without proper trial as a civilian…

“The General Court Martial (GCM) at Makindye in Kampala has overruled four-time presidential candidate Col (Rtd) Dr Kiiza Besigye’s objection to charges before it and trial, ordering him (Besigye) to plea to the charges slapped against him. Besigye, his aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale, and UPDF soldier Captain Denis Oola are charged with treachery, subversion and unlawful possession of firearms” (New Vision, 14.01.2025).

“The General Court Martial (CGM) says it has jurisdiction to charge and try four-time presidential candidate Col. (rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye. GCM chairperson Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe dismissed Besigye’s claims that the charge sheet was defective” (88.7 Arua One FM, 14.01.2025).

The tragic saga of forged criminal conspiracy against the state continues. The General Court Martial (GCM) and Brigadier General Robert Freeman Mugabe who is the tool to keep Dr. Kizza Besigye behind bars and detained indefinitely. That is the reason for all of this and how the GCM is reacting. Nothing new under the sun….

Only more misuse of office, misrule and weaponizing the GCM to arrest and detain dissidents of the state. That’s why Besigye is behind bars and now the state has opened up yet another case on him. His pending another criminal conspiracy without any proof or proper witnesses to prove the alleged criminal intent or actions. Therefore, we know the drill and they are just postponing the inevitable.

The GCM is a useful tool for the state and a way to keep people detained without the need of bonds or bails. As they have the power and jurisdiction to deny the charged individuals as long as they deem fit. Meaning they can keep them detained with a conviction or even a proper trial. Just defer it and adjourn it without any end. As long as the Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe deems fit. That means he can do this and continue this case as long as he likes without any remedies for Besigye or any of his associates.

We know that the case has been adjourned today until next Tuesday, 21st January 2025. That means the state have had Besigye and his fellow associate behind bars for 67 days without any proper trial, judgment or proof of a criminal conduct, which gives the state any reason to penalize or even prosecute them. Therefore, we know this is all political and a part of a play to keep Besigye off the streets. That is the reality here and it’s obvious to the naked eye. Peace.

Besigye behind bars for 58 days [on the 13th of January 2025] without proper trial as a civilian…

“At the Army Court in Makindye, the prosecution, led by Colonel Raphael Mugisha, has applied to amend the charge sheet against Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale, seeking to add a new offense of treachery and include Captain Denis Ola, a serving officer attached to the Armoured Brigade, as an additional accused. However, the defense team, led by Martha Karua, has objected to the move, citing a pending ruling on the General Court Martial’s jurisdiction to try civilians” (NTV Uganda, 13.01.2025).

Time is a wasting and it’s proven. Just as time goes by, the state just has to revise, add and make the proceedings even worse. The abduction case turned into a criminal case pending in the General Court Martial. This is just horrific and a tale as old as the National Resistance Movement (NRM). It is just what the state does to its dissidents.

Besigye and his allies are just mere targets and people that is plotted against. They are claiming Besigye travelled to buy weaponry, had illegal guns, which only the UPDF has monopoly over and was scheming to overthrow the legal government in the Republic. Now in addition to all that, his supposed to be treacherous too. Meaning he will be charged again with Treason.

Besigye have been charged with treason before and we are seeing it appear again. This is to make the GCM more viable and give it more time. It is a way of making the case more severe than a gun-case and conspiracy to conspire against the state. However, now it is direct attack on the state, and he had insiders working within the army to do so. Therefore, this is just making the status of the case more alert and more damaging. Giving the state and the GCM enough reasons to keep him behind bars indefinitely.

So now after 58 days in detention and behind bars in Luzira Maximum Prison. This means his still barred from an ordinary life and abilities to be an hardworking opposition leader. The new charges and amendment of it is just to keep him there. They have neither produced any evidence or witnesses of the first charges pinned on him. Now they are adding and amending just to ensure his longevity behind bars. That is just mere technicalities to keep him detained…

That is the story here and this is what the state wants. They have no case and nothing sufficiently to prove any alleged criminal conspiracy. However, they are willing to manufacture and create hogwash stories to narrate and persistently keep Besigye from the public light.

This is how these things go. It is impunity in action and misusing the General Court Martial to haunt, destroy and go after the opposition in the Republic. This isn’t for the peace or to address the rule of law. No, this is just sending a message and go after anyone who dares to oppose the one on the throne. Peace.

Advocat Eron Kiiza’s letter from prison (10.01.2024)

Kawempe North By-Election: A short memo on the upcoming polls

This is early… a bit to early, but it has to be addressed. As the ones remaining alive and the ones who are eager will fight for the open seat in Kawempe North. The late Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya will be exchanged for someone else. That is the nature of things. We just have to reconcile with that.

Alas, as this is given. The General Election of 2026 is scheduled for the 12th January 2026. So, whenever the Electoral Commission schedules the By-Election it will be mere months before the General Election. Meaning this By-Election is close to pointless and insignificant at best. As the 12th Parliament seat would be more valuable and have a full term.

Mr. Update should have a proper successor and have someone who honours his legacy. Someone who is bound by ideals and a will to serve his community. That would be the dream. Have someone who would ensure the hospital and all the other service delivery. Which the MP fought for and showed compassion for the constituency. That is rare and unique of the character that was Ssegirinya MP. We shall never forget that and his name will be remembered.

Nevertheless, the seat is up for grabs. People will take their stake in it and try to forge their way into Parliament. There will be a competition of both activists and stalwarts who wants to get ahead.

If the National Unity Platform (NUP) was wise here. They would actually not field anyone at this current stage. Just boycott it and act like Mr. Update is the MP for the remaining time. Then later hold Party Primaries and ensure someone is ready, popular and has the message the Kawempe North deserves.

We know the National Resistance Movement (NRM) wants to signal their return and they cannot help to make by-elections look like war-zones. The NRM needs to make it seems like it has momentum and massive electorate on its side ahead of the General Elections. That’s why they will use this and try to humiliate the opposition. Even ensure a few NRM leaning Independents with a little heart and finesse participate too. Just to dilute the chance of an opposition candidate to win.

This here is unfortunate. The people of Kawempe North had a winner and a man of steel. The Kawempe North had a hero and a man of the people. That’s who they had and he shouldn’t be gone this early. Mr. Update should have lingered on and become a man of the hour. He should have had time to build and create. However, that wasn’t the wishes of the state and they destroyed him completely. Therefore, he was pronounced dead today….

I don’t want to see a Kawempe North By-Election. Parts of me wants to boycott it completely and not even write this. Nevertheless, the ice-cold facts are here. This should be a year of reflection and the NUP should revise a proper strategy ahead of the 2026. Not run on vibes in the quickest race before the General Election. They shouldn’t take the risk of heredity politics either. No, they should just wait for the current and try to make a solid foundation for 2026. That’s if they want someone proper and with heart to takeover. Not just some run-of-the-mill character that wears the red-beret and sings the psalms of the day.

Kawempe North deserves better. They lost their hero and it’s just a massive tragedy. He was special, unique and was who people wants to see as their leader. He had morals, social compass and an ability to engage that others wants to emulate, but you cannot just copy that. That is something he was born with and that’s why he was beloved.

This By-Election is sort of pointless. It won’t bring a change or be pivotal. For others than headlines that the government will use against the opposition. That’s why the opposition and the NUP especially should be wiser. Not fall into the traps and get dirty. It should be better. Especially, if they want to be beholden to the legacy of the late MP. Peace.

The tragic demise of Muhammed Ssegirinya MP

“I have never found inner peace ever since I was elected MP and sometimes I regret and say I wish I had remained in the position of councillor” – Muhammed Ssegirinya, Kawempe North MP (September 2023).

Today, the announced reports that Muhammed Ssegirinya MP died at Lubaga Hospital. A man who fought and was targeted by the state. He was charged with Masaka murders, which he was not involved in. They kept in prison for 17 months, tortured him and blocked him from getting proper medical treatment. This is the price of rebellion and being a dissident in a dictatorship.

Mr. Update has been a voice of the wretched and the poor for years. He worked and with heart since before he was elected as a Councillor. Ssegirinya became an MP after one term as a councillor. As a councillor he fought and was even taken away from Mulago hospital. That just showed his character and how he was willing to fight the people.

Today we are seeing the price of fighting for a just cause. Ssegirinya MP have been a person of interest. That’s why they pinned him with terrorism and kept him behind bars. They wanted to signal to the public and the people that their leaders could be captured. The state could have acted differently, but they desired to arrest, detain and torture him. To such an extent that he wasn’t allowed to be released on bail for medical treatment or such. Therefore, we can see what has happened ever since.

Ever since his release from the forged-up charges and trial against him. He has been sick and never been able to get back. The stint and months behind bars broke his body. The state took his health, and he died as a result. His an official victim of the state and their punishment of their dissidents.

Mr. Update had heart, soul and character. He could crack you up, but he was also interested in delivering for his community. As a leader and a politician, he was on the frontline and fought. He used his time and tried to make a difference. That’s more than others who are there just to eat and find ways of getting envelopes. This wasn’t the way of Ssegirinya MP.

A man who has been detained, blocked and stopped in his tracks. A man who did what he saw as righteous. He never got to see the promised land or the values he fought for. Ssegirinya MP deserved so much more. The MP and the man himself should have seen some results of his labour. However, he instead died in a hospital for being an opposition leader. A leader who was revered and respected. That’s why the state targeted him and tried to silence him.

They have taken his last breath. They destroyed his body, but his cause and his battles aren’t over yet. No, others should continue and persist with the fight. It is far from over, but there is a need for men like Ssegirinya MP. They are the ones who are heroes and the ones who dares to challenge the Gods. He did so and people entrusted this man. However, the authorities didn’t accept that, and they killed him. Peace.